The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-10
THE KNIGHTS AND MR. PowDERLY.

THE KNIGHTS AND mr. POWDERLY.
The next session of the General Assembly of
the Knights of Labor at Minneapolis will be
an important one for the order and perhaps an
exciting one. There will not be as many del
egates present as were at the Richmond con-
vention last year, on account of a change in
the basis of representation. Last year there
delegate to every 1000 members, while
this year the basis is one delegate to 5000
members. But even this basis it will be a
large convention. The present membership
is said to be fully 800, 600. This would make
the number of delegates on the above basis
about 800, and that will probably be about
the size of the convention. Among other
matters it will have to consider will probably
be the resignation of Mr. Powderly, as gener-
al master workman. It is stated positively,
by apparently good authority. chat he will
resign and go abroad. This purpose is at
tributed to the calumny and abuse to which
he has been subjected. Mr.. OReilly, of New
York, Master Workman of the Telegraphers'
Brotherhood, and personal friend of
Mr.. Powderly, says: HE has been calum-
mated with bitterness and malevolence that
are painful to COZ template." The public has
seen and heard something of this, but
doubt Mr.. Powderly has seen and heard
great deal more of it. Mr.. O'Reilly, speak
ing with the warmth and indignation of a
personal friend, says: "No man who knows
the General Master Workman can possibly
hear so good and great a character most vilely
abused without expressing q warm and just
indignation. He has been stigmatized rs a
taste of intoxicants. He has been charged
with servile submission to this or that faction,
although, in the full consciousness of his
own honesty and moral courage, Re fears
neither man nor devil The character of his
private life and the uniform tenor of his pub
lie conduct is sufficient answer to the calumny
and abuse heaped upon him."
It is remarkable that the abuse of Mr..
Powderly has come mainly from the order
itself, where it might be supposed he would
have hearty support and the most friendly
feeling. The general public have high opin-
ion of Mr.. Powderly intelligent, con-
scientious, conservative man, possessing
strong convictions of right and sense of duty.
1t is generally conceded that he has discharged
the difficult duties of his position in a very
able manner. But within the order he has
been subjected to a constantly growing oppo-
sition and an increasing stream of criticism
and abuse. As to the causes of this the gen.
eral public can know little or nothing. It
can only perceive that the fact exists and
recognize it part of the politics of the order.
1t must be very discouraging to Mr. Powder
ly, as it certainly is very discredtable to those
engaged in it, 1t must be evident to any fair
minded man, Knight of Labor or not, that
Mr.. Powderly has devoted all his energy and
unquestioned ability to the good of the order
and to the best interests of the labor
cause. He has deserved better treatment
than to be bounded with detraction and abuse,
and driven to resign. No doubt the Knights
of Labor, among their eight hundred thou
sand members have many bright and capable
men, but we doubt if they will find a better
chief officer than Mr.. Powderly.